CT Children's Author Wants To Make A Holiday TV Special

HOPE-DENEE FORTIER

It's the season for giving, so why not help out a children's book author?

"Launch" is a new place to meet local innovative entrepreneurs, writers, artists, inventors, scientists and philanthropists, who are raising money for their projects through crowdfunding websites like kickstarter.com.

Who: Kate West, children's book author.

Mission: To promote literacy and culture-sharing through the love and magic of the Italian legend of La Befana.

Goal: Raise $35,000 for production costs (studio, crew, puppeteers, etc.) to film a television holiday special based on her children's book, "La Befana and the Star: A Christmas Gift from Italy."

Background: A resident of North Madison, West grew up in an Italian-American family in Connecticut celebrating the holiday feast of Epiphany. According to Italian legend, on Epiphany eve La Befana travels on her broomstick to each home spreading love and magic by delivering gifts and treats to children. West wrote the children's book to share the Italian legend of La Befana and her magic star cookies with American audiences and children around the world. West also has developed puppets, La Befana's traveling kitchen set (designed by Elm Shakespeare Company's Pericles' set designer, Vladimir Shpitalnik), worked with acclaimed Sesame Street principal puppeteer Pam Arciero and puppeteers from UConn's MFA puppetry program to launch her idea. She also plans a book and media tour with live puppet performances at children's events, which will be filmed and shared with her supporters via web. After the holiday special, West hopes to continue her web series with La Befana cooking meals and sharing traditions with celebrity chefs.

Handout

Handout

How to help: Visit http://www.golabefana.com to be linked to Kate West's crowdfunding site from Dec. 1 to Jan. 6. Founding supporters will receive books or get to join a recording session of La Befana's theme song with Emmy award-winning musicians.